As Derek walked into his Alpha chambers, his footsteps faltered, and he froze at the sight before him.

Sitting on a high stool near the wine cabinet, a glass in her hand, was Clara—his Luna. The warm glow of the chamber’s lanterns reflected off her auburn hair, and her emerald-green eyes locked onto him with an unreadable expression.

Noticing his presence, Clara turned gracefully, her gaze unwavering. “I’ve been expecting you,” she said, her voice smooth but edged with something cold. She took a delicate sip from her glass, savoring the wine. “What took you so long?”

Derek blinked, caught off guard. He hadn’t seen Clara in months, and her...